VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

(Letters)

August 02, 2007

Musharraf is our hope

This is in response to "Bush: Musharraf trying to right missteps on terror" (News, July 22). President Pervez Musharraf is our only hope in Pakistan. Without his cooperation these past years, it would have been nearly impossible for the United States to have prosecuted this war against the Al Qaeda network throughout Southwest Asia.

Musharraf walks a very thin line at home. Muslim fundamentalists throughout Pakistan twice have tried to assassinate him, and are apparently poised to launch a counterinsurgency against his administration within the very near future.

Should these fundamentalists gain control of the country, the United States would be forced to intervene to deal with this power vacuum. This would be folly.

Such would begin another Vietnam-style quagmire of the 21st Century. In this context, the United States retains no other option than to ensure his continued existence in power, and to do so by whatever means necessary.

Earl Beal

Terre Haute, Ind.

Dangerous bikers

I would like to remind bike riders that the Lakefront Trail is not a route for the Tour de France. By zipping along at breakneck speeds, they endanger pedestrians (some elderly and some with small children) as well as joggers.

Collisions that cause injury may force officials to place unwanted restrictions on bike riding, which is a pleasant and healthful pastime for so many.